Anthony dropped his gaze to the book in his hand and dismissed the notion. How ridiculous of him to have such musings about an absolute stranger.
“You’ve read the rest?” he asked when he became aware of the silence between them.
“With a few exceptions. Frankenstein and The Vampyre don’t appeal to me much, and there are some other works I’ve attempted without completing.”
“Your library must be impressive.”
She bit her lip, appeared to consider how best to respond, and finally sighed. “I live upstairs. My uncle owns the shop.”
“Really?” Not a Society miss then but someone whose story held much more interest.
“He said he’d lock up when he went to run a quick errand, so I thought I’d be able to grab a new book without being seen.”
This got his attention. “You do not wish to be seen?”
“I do not wish to have my presence here questioned.” She dropped her gaze and knit her brow. “My uncle has been good to me. It would pain me if I were to damage his reputation.”
Intrigued, Anthony approached the counter and placed Soldier of Fortune upon it. Thumbing through the first pages, he casually asked, “How would you do that?”
“Surely you can imagine.” When he said nothing, she explained, “Many believe books can threaten the vulnerable mind of any woman. Especially when the woman in question is able to read what she wishes without a father or husband to guide her. As is my case.”
“I don’t subscribe to that notion.”
“Then you are more progressive than most.” Shifting her weight on the stool, she pulled her hand away and studied the handkerchief. “Am I still bleeding?”
“No. It appears the bleeding has stopped.”
“Then I should return this to you. My apologies for having ruined it.” She folded the handkerchief and held it toward him.
Anthony took it and tried to figure out how to continue their conversation. For some peculiar reason, he was reluctant to leave. There was still time to spare before his meeting and besides, he’d yet to purchase his book. Ah yes! “Frankenstein and The Vampyre have not tempted me either. I came in here hoping to purchase Rob Roy.”
“An enjoyable read which I’m sure you’ll like. I’ll fetch it for you.”
She slid off the stool, rounded the counter, and hurried past Anthony, disappearing between two bookcases. When she returned, she carried three books of which only one had been bound. She gave him a hesitant look before placing them on the counter and pushing the leather-bound book toward him.
“If you’re eager to start reading today, you can purchase this copy of volume one now and have volume two delivered later this evening. If you desire a different color leather, however, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
Anthony considered his options. Although he looked forward to relaxing with a new book, he also enjoyed chatting with this intriguing young woman. He wanted to see her again, he realized, and picking up books would serve as a subtle excuse.
“Blue would be my preferred choice,” he murmured, finding her gaze and succeeding to hold it for one long second. Until color rose to her cheeks and she lowered her chin.
She swallowed and started arranging the books in a neat pile on top of the counter. “I’ll…um…yes. We have a few shades to choose from, though I really should let my uncle handle your order.”
“I won’t tell a soul you helped me,” Anthony promised.
Uncertainty knit her brow and pushed her lips into a flat line. She hesitated, then nibbled her lower lip. Eventually, she huffed a breath. “Very well.”
Victory was his. He could have hooted with joy but limited himself to rocking back on his heels. How perfectly silly of him to be thrilled by winning this woman’s agreement. He scratched the nape of his neck while she brought the samples of blue leather for him to consider. It took him only a moment to locate the right one, after which she collected a notepad and started to write.
“Name?” she inquired.
Sensing his title might make things awkward, he made a split-second decision. “Gibbs. And you are?”
“Miss Quinn,” she informed him stiffly while scribbling away with frantic movements. “I’ll need your address for the delivery, Mr. Gibbs.”
“No need.” When she stilled, he told her, “I’ll stop by personally to pick up my order tomorrow afternoon at the hour best suited to you.”
“Oh…I…um…”
“What’s your favorite novel, Miss Quinn?”
Her lips parted. “What?”
Congratulating himself for having directed her attention away from what his comment suggested, he smiled in response to her obvious confusion. It wouldn’t do for her to get all worked up and nervous over him wanting to see her again. For although she was quite adorable in her current state of being, he feared she’d go back into hiding if he made her too self-aware.
“You’ve clearly read a lot. More than I or anyone of my acquaintance, I’ll wager. So tell me, if you knew you’d be stranded on a desert island with no other company than one novel, which would you choose?”
“Pride and Prejudice.”
Her answer was instantaneous.
Anthony tilted his head. “I’ve never heard of it. What’s it about?”
The pink color in her cheeks deepened until she’d turned scarlet. “The meeting and subsequent courtship between a gentleman and a lady.”
“A romance?”
She cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“I don’t understand.” It sounded as dull as watching paint dry. “You’d rather be stuck with such a book than one that’s filled with adventure and intrigue?”
“Adventure comes in all shapes and forms. In Pride and Prejudice it’s emotional in nature, and the intrigue is not in short supply either.”
“Hmm…”
She raised her chin and for the first time since they’d met, he saw a determined gleam in her eyes. “You’re not convinced.”
“Not really. Was it popular?”
“The copies my uncle ordered sold out within the first month of publication. The articles I read in the paper a few years ago when the book was released confirmed it to be a massive success. So much so a second edition was printed later that very same year.”
Enthralled by the passion with which she spoke, he leaned toward her. “Why do you love it so much?”
The edge of her mouth lifted, producing the most enchanting dimple he’d ever seen. “It’s witty and clever, and although the characters have their flaws, they grow through their interactions with one another, becoming better versions of themselves in the process. Yes, the hero is arrogant to begin with and the heroine far too ready to judge him unfairly, but as the story unfolds, they acknowledge their mistakes, overcome their differences, and live happily ever after.”
“Unless you’re about to tell me there’s a battle somewhere in the middle, I think I’ll stick with Rob Roy and other works of that nature.”
“Of course there’s a battle, but it pertains to human nature, not to a military campaign or a brawl. But there is a scandal involving a dastardly rogue.”